002: The Price of Arrogance

Lilieth

The Harvest Moon Festival.

I look forward to it every year because it's the one time of the year that our village looks like something straight out of a storybook.

It's beyond exciting and now that I'll be leaving for the academy, I'm looking around the place from an outsider's perspective. Lanterns are hanging all over the place, lighting up the cobblestone path. Cheers and music can be heard in the background. I look around and see dancing bodies, vendors on every corner trying to make a few coins by selling refreshments, couples holding hands or even kissing. The happiness oozing out of people is contagious.

It doesn't take me long to spot Corey. His bright red hair stands out, always has. My brother is near the ale vendor, already drinking the night away. Mid-laugh, he turns his head to look at me, and his smile falters. We make eye contact for a good few seconds, and I once again wonder what happened to my brother.

What could make an ambitious and hardworking man fall into the blackest pit imaginable?

I think of going to him but he turns his head away and continues laughing with his friends, ignoring my presence. I continue down the path, hoping to spot Anice or even Larena, my friend. I left the house late because I was packing, so I'm an hour late to the festivities.

Everyone has already started having fun.

"Lili!" I hear Larena yell before I whirl around. She literally crashes into me, spilling half her mug of ale right on my dress.

A horrified gasp leaves her lips. "Lili, I'm so sorry!"

I shrug. "No matter. It'll dry soon enough."

"I heard the big news!" she exclaims. "Anice told me. Is it true? You're really going to Noctem Lunae?"

She practically screaming, so much that when I glance around, I see people watching us. I grab her by the arm and we go to a more secluded area, where we won't be heard. Dammit. How many people did Anice tell? I thought she didn't believe I'd be going!

"Yes, I got an acceptance letter," I confess.

Her eyes widen. "It's legit?"

"I guess I'll find out tomorrow," I sigh. "I've already packed. We leave at six."

Larena drops her mug in the dirt before covering her mouth with both hands. Her eyes are shiny with emotion. "Lili! Imagine if you actually make it and Alpha Cadeon chooses you!"

"Don't be ridiculous," I say sternly. "I'm only going for the opportunity of getting better jobs when I get back. I'm an Omega, or have you forgotten?"

"I know for a fact that you're the bossiest Omega I've ever met in my life," she proclaims. "You can't even take orders without making a face and showing how much you hate being told what to do."

"That's not true."

"Okay," she says before embracing me. "I'm so happy for you, Lili! This is great! You'll...by the goddess, you'll go down in history! The only Omega at the academy! This is a big deal, Lili. You should be celebrating."

"This is my version of celebrating."

"Well, we need to get rowdier," she claims. "Pick up my mug and let's go to the vendor to have it refilled."

I scoff, arching a brow at her. "Why can't you pick up your own mug? You're the one who dropped it."

She gives me a knowing look, and I groan, realizing what she's getting at. "Look, following orders doesn't mean you do as you're told blindly. Grab your mug and let's go."

We step out of the darkened alleyway and join the party. I'm ready to have fun. I'll spend three months away, after which I'm sure I'll be eliminated with two other girls. Might not seem like much, but three months is a long time for someone who's never been away a day in their life.

"What do you have in mind to celebrate?" Larena asks me.

"I'm not sure," I say. "I can't drink because of tomorrow. Let's get some skewers."

We cross the field to make it to the other side, where I can smell the grilling meats and veggies. The delicious smell makes my mouth water, and I eye the vendor's tent and head toward it, fully focused on getting there and not looking around me to see if anyone's coming at me.

Why would I?

Well, it seems I should have because someone rams into me, sending me flying. I land heavily on my back, an oomph escaping my slightly parted lips.

I hear Larena gasp. "Lili!"

"Shit," I hear someone spit. The guy who ran into me, to be more specific. I see black on the edges of my vision, but when he hovers above me, I get a good look at his face. He's wearing a hood and dark, nondescript clothes. His eyes appear to be a vivid green. "I'm sorry. Are you okay?"

My lip curls and I can feel my eyes squinting. "What do you think?"

I try to sit up and my head spins. I think I'm going to be sick. Larena, my good old friend, helps me rise. I feel unsteady on my feet. Goddess, just how hard did I hit my head?

"I'm really sorry," he says again, trailing after us. "I really didn't see you."

"Yeah, you already apologized," I spit. "Unless your apology is healing, don't say it again!"

I'm not looking at his face but I sense him staying behind, rooted to the spot. Larena guides me to one of the wooden benches lining the walls of our chapel, and I sit down. "Do you need anything?"

"Just water, if you can find it. Here, have a few coins."

"No," she says, pushing my hand down. "I got it. Don't worry."

I watch her go just as the guy who made me fall starts toward me, another guy in tow. I narrow my eyes at him, wondering what on earth he wants from me. He stops a few feet away and says, "Look, I don't understand why you won't take my apology."

"Are you serious?" I demand, looking at him up and down. Something's fishy. He's not dressed like us. That cape he's wearing...it must cost a fortune.

He's not an Omega. The realization hits me right away.

I stand up. He takes a step back and widens his eyes, perhaps stunned by my audacity. He can't be older than twenty. "You're not supposed to be here."

"What are you talking about?" he demands.

"You're not Omega."

"So?" he asks before scoffing. "What's with you, anyway? What's it to you?"

"You could get yourself into serious trouble here," I hiss at him under my breath. "There are guys here that don't like people from higher ranks. What are you, Gamma-born?"

He doesn't answer me and neither does his friend. He doesn't seem scared by what I've just told him. He folds his arms and says, "Do you want me to be afraid, is that it?"

This kind of arrogance can only mean he's an Alpha- or Beta-born. I look around quickly, wondering if anyone is keeping an eye on them. My heart drops when I see that there's a group of men standing near another ale tent, watching us with murderous expressions.

"You've already been spotted," I inform him. "You're trespassing, or do you have the Alpha's permission to be here?"

He scoffs. "I don't need permission."

Larena arrives with the water and two skewers but I lost my appetite a long time ago. If these guys don't get out of here, there'll be trouble.

For the most part, we Omegas are meek. We don't start trouble. We respect our Alpha. We respect the system implemented because we've accepted that, biologically, we're weaker wolves.

But that doesn't mean a group of drunk omegas wouldn't lynch a beta or even gamma to get back at the years of oppression and injustice.

It has happened before, and it could happen again.

"Just leave!" I hiss at him through my teeth. "You don't belong here, so go."

Arrogantly, he replies, "I'm the one who gets to decide where I belong, not you. If you won't accept my apology, then fine. Don't."

With that, he spins on his heel, his friend right behind him, and they walk away from me—only to walk straight into trouble.